Colonial magic in the hills

Present day Colonial Bungalows with the modern touch are big attractions in the local travel industry. Many tourists like to visit these bungalows mainly to get the real local touch from the surrounding villages and to see the true eco system in village society.

‘'The Hemingford’ Eheliyagoda is the latest entrant to the luxury plantation bungalow market. 'The Hemingford', which is fully owned and managed by Pussellawa Plantations, came into operation from last August.

This is the signature property of Pussellawa Plantations, which enters into this niche plantation bungalow/small luxury boutique hotel market with their colonial bungalows' explained Prashan Bandara, the Manager of Hemingford Estate.

Situated in Eheliyagoda off Parakaduwa, Hemingford is a British era plantation bungalow, approximately 97’ years old. Amidst tea and rubber plantations of the Hemingford Estate, the bungalow is situated on a five acre hillside valley with a splendid view of Adam's Peak and miles of countryside.

‘The most unique in this place is the travelling time. The guests can reach the bungalow in less than a two hour drive from Colombo’ he added. The bungalow is surrounded by tea plantation and the lower level of the estate is covered with rubber.

'The Hemingford' boasts of having six king size rooms including two standard, two air-conditioned and two suites with attached modern bathrooms with hot and cold water open into a wrap-around verandah. The bungalow offers fine dining facility for 15 at with cozy living rooms, complete with TV, DVD collection and a library.

The freshwater swimming pool, clay tennis court, nature trails within the four acre garden and the sunset point are some of the attractions of this bungalow. ‘A variety of meal and menu options with butler service is available at the bungalow. Western and Continental menus, Sri Lankan cuisine is the top favourites’ said Marlon Saldin, who is the man behind the success story of 'The Hemingford'.

Some years back this colonial bungalow was a neglected property and was a burden for the plantation company. Soon they realized the value of the property and embarked on a project to resurrect the giant. The management of the bungalow has spent nearly 8 million Rupees in refurbishing and repositioning the place and thanks to Marlon the 'Hemingford Bungalow' is now one of the top tourist attractions of the area.

The bungalow also has five drivers' and guides' rooms, private reservoir, stand-by generator and in-house laundry service. BBQ terrace and Ayurvedic assistance are some of the other features of Hemingford. 'Step into a world of green, 5-acres of flowering plants and trees, most of which date back to over a 100 years. The sunset point, canopy lounge or wherever you wish to be in the lush tied gardens, you are surrounded by a timeless work of nature, carefully tendered by loving hands of the bungalow's gardeners' Marlon explained.

Nature lovers and photographers would be interested in the variety of birds that flock the garden as would the wild boar and hare. Streams, waterfalls and natural pools are in plentiful within the estate.‘This is also an ideal location to explore Bopath Ella and Kitulgala’ he said.

If you're the outdoor adventurous type we have mountain biking trails, from easy to extreme, canoeing, abseiling or take a walk along one of our many trails with the longest trail to Adam's Peak, being just outside our gates' he said. Apart from the discerning traveller this is also ideal for corporate outings, parties, weddings, cocktails, art, music and theme exhibitions.

'For a limited period of time, a special promotional offer is available for Sri Lankan and expatriates, where the entire property which can comfortably accommodate 15 is being offered at Rs. 15,000/- inclusive of all taxes' Marlon said. For further information and reservations, contact Pussellawa Plantations Ltd., 228, Havelock Road, Colombo 5.